Outreach

Public Archeology

Jamie Brandon gives a talk about the Arkansas Archeological Society’s Summer Training Program in El Dorado, AR in 2011.

The AAS-SAU Research Station is dedicated to public outreach–educating Arkansans about what archeologists do and why it is important. In this mission, our staff have given over 100 invited public talks over the last 5 years on a variety of archeological and historical topics. From local Lions Clubs and Rotary, to county genealogical and historical societies, to museums and parks state-wide, we are dedicated to spreading the word about the research we do. We have also been a part of efforts to educate the public about archaeology through various media outlets. Our work has been covered by various regional newspapers and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and we have appeared on various radio programs on local NPR affiliates—Red River Radio (KDAQ 89.9FM, Shreveport, LA), KTXK 91.5 FM (at Texarkana College) and KUAF’s “Ozarks at Large” (91.3FM, Fayetteville, AR)—and other regional radio talk shows (such as “Timber Talk,” KZHE 100.5FM, Magnolia, AR and KTYC 88.5 FM, the non-commercial radio station affiliated with the Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas). AAS-SAU Research Station staff have contributed to the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial on-line podcast program. Dr. Brandon has appeared in two Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) documentaries.

Kadohadacho Chapter of the Arkansas Archeological Society

A big part of our public archeology effort is working with the volunteer organization that lobbied the Arkansas Archeological Survey into existence in the 1960s–The Arkansas Archeological Society. The Arkansas Archeological Society was formed for the purpose of uniting all persons interested in the archeology of Arkansas, for the recognition and preservation of our cultural heritage and for fostering and encouraging the public’s interest in the preservation of the past. Chapters of the Society are located in various parts of the state, and monthly meetings at the Chapters offer speakers, news of current events, outreach activities, and opportunities to help with research and preservation projects—as well as friendship and shared interests.

The Kadohadacho Chapter is the chapter of the Arkansas Archeological Society serving southwestern Arkansas. Membership is open to anybody interested in archeology. The chapters holds its meetings every second Tuesday of the month on the SAU campus in Magnolia, Arkansas. In addition to attending monthly talks about archeology in the region and state, volunteers with the Kadohadacho chapter work with archeologists in the laboratory at SAU and on field excavation projects all around southwest Arkansas.

If you are interested in regional history and archeology maybe you should join the Kadohadacho Chapter of the Arkansas Archeological Society. You can sign up for our free monthly newsletter (the Kadohadacho News) through the Southwest Arkansas Archeology (SWAR-ARCH) e-mail listserv, and follow us on Facebook. Contact Dr. Jamie Brandon at (870) 235-4229 or jbrando@uark.edu for more information.

Why are we called “Kadohadacho”? The Kadohadacho (Kä’dohadä’cho, meaning “real chiefs”) were a tribe of the Caddo confederacy. The Caddo, of course, were one of the major groups of Native Americans living in southwestern Arkansas during late prehistoric and early historic times. The Chapter was founded at SAU in 1970 and the name was voted on at that time.

Carl Carlson-Drexler giving a public tour of volunteer excavations at Dooley’s Ferry in Spring 2012.